LCA's - Spend the big $$$$, or go the cheap route???

[tim5362]

Here's the question I've been contemplating for a while.

Spend the big $$$ and go with MM Drag Racing Adj. Lower control arms, and Ford Racing HD Uppers with new poly bushings in the rear end.

Or,

Go with UPR adj lowers and adj uppers with sperical on body side, and poly on rear end side.

There's people that love UPR, but a lot that hate UPR.

The Mach isn't a daily driver, and will see the strip 4-6 times a month.

Sorry for bringing this age old question up again.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Dave Holman]

I asked the same question on this forum a couple of hours ago and everyone told me to go with the MM arms.

 

[03-s281]

Go with the UPR's if its gonna be at the strip more then the street. I cut 1.60's since adding mine.

 

[Dave Holman]

Which UPRs did you get? Was it the adjustable weight jackers? Why don't you like them for street use?

 

[tim5362]

03-s281,

What UPR's do you have?? Spherical/poly setup?? Is the hard pretty harsh?? Noisey???

 

[propellerhead]

There are a lot of folks using the UPR control arms and are quite satisfied. Search other message boards.

I prefer the UPR design. They have the spherical bearing on the chassis side and the urethane bushing on the axle end, just like the Global West ones. It appears less stressful on your torque boxes. The Maximum Motorsports and Pro3i ones have the urethane bushing on the chassis end.

 

[TacBear]

Steeda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mineralgraygt]

i was looking into picking up some upr lca this summer. how are they noise wise one of my buddys has a pair but i foget the name of the i know they have urethane bushing on both sides and he said his was pretty harsh and you hear more rear end noise with them

 

[twogts4us]

I asked the same question on this forum a couple of hours ago and everyone told me to go with the MM arms.

Except for me...I just posted over there 2 mins ago!
UPR Pro Series Suspension - Used on more winning FFW, NMRA and WFC cars than all their competitors combined. I think that says it all right there. (Now, if you are into road racing or such, you'd proabably be better suited with MM's kits or Steeda. But for the 1320, UPR is excellent!)

 

[propellerhead]

I've read and read about LCAs. Then I read some more.

There are two designs out there. MM/Pro3i have the spherical bearing on the axle end and a urethane bushing on the chassis end. Global West and UPR have it the other way around. A urethane bushing on the axle end and a spherical bearing on the chassis end. I like the GW/UPR design better because you won't be applying a lot of stress on the torque boxes.

 

['03GTinFLA]

Hey propellerhead,
What's your ride like with those? I don't go to the track but I like to upgrade my car. Mine's a DD and I drive it like I stole it, but my ride is harsh enough after lowering it. Is this mod more of a performance on the track for a trade in comfort?

 

[propellerhead]

I haven't bought any yet.

Just did my preliminary research. It seems like for just straight line drag race launches, all we need are stronger control arms and stiffer bushings. Just to minimize compression of the bushings and flexing of the flimsy stock control arms. No need for the fancy stuff if you're just going straight. The autocross guys get more benefit out of the high-end control arms so they will probably spend more bucks. It will help them keep both wheels planted better during hard cornering. So basically, I decided to just go with plain Mac lowers. They will be a lot stiffer than the factory control arms, and I won't have to dish out $300+.

Then I convinced myself that I'd still benefit from the $280 MM lowers because it should improve my daily driving too.

In the end, I think I'll end up ordering the UPR upper and lower kit for under $200. Search Modular Depot. A lot of the big guys on there have them. Even though the UPR website seems to cater to ricers or 'for show only' Mustangs, their control arms and suspension kits seem to get good feedback.

 

[Justin03GT]

i have the UPR upper and lowers, the uppers made the ride a bit rougher, but its worth it...car bites a lot harder now on the launch and between the gears...plus at $200 for upper and lowers the price is right...they fit perfect and do the job..i dont see any need to spend the extra for MM..

 

[propellerhead]

That's what I'm hoping. Did it cure the fishtailing when spinning the back tires?